You are here: Home / Archives for Support Group

Telling Your Story: Sharing Your Struggle With Family at the Holidays

December 16, 2010 By Brenna Kate Simonds
family

The holidays can be intense time.  Food, family, fun - and often friction.  It’s also a time when those of us who are struggling to overcome same-sex attraction may choose to “come out” to our families. I came out to my dad as gay-identified at around 15 or 16, then a post/ex-gay at 25, and then as an Exodus ministry leader probably around 29 or 30.  He raised me as a single dad from when I was an early teen, and my mom was in and out of the picture.  At one point, a family member out’ed me to my mom, but she & I never talked about it since our relationship has always been … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bi-sexuality, Encourage, Friendship, Gay, God, Holy Spirit, Homosexuality, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Parents, Post-gay, Support, The Father, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CNN Belief Blog Interviews Alan Chambers About Prop 8 and Gay Rights

August 10, 2010 By Randy Thomas
Photo Credit CNN

From ‘Ex-gay’ ministry on gay marriage's chances after Prop 8 ruling ... “It’s disappointing that a judge would rule against the will of the people,” says Chambers, author of Leaving Homosexuality. “That’s the greatest tragedy.” For 34 years, Exodus has told gay and lesbians that they can be “delivered” from homosexuality through faith in Christ, professional counseling and support groups. But how will groups like Exodus fare if fewer Americans believe that homosexuality is a sin, and if gay marriage becomes an option? Chambers acknowledged that “our culture is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blogs, Church, Culture, Equip, Exodus Blog, Gay, Identity, Lesbian, Marriage, Media Mentions, Post-gay, Religious Liberty, Sexuality Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Suicide Rates Among Gay Community Increase

August 9, 2010 By Randy Thomas
despair

From Deseret News: SALT LAKE CITY — As the number of suicides among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations continues to increase across the nation, concern among the Utah LGBT community has begun to push the issue into the spotlight. In July, Utah's LGBT community lost at least three members to suicide, including a 28-year-old man whose death was mourned by more than 300 people during a candlelight vigil on the steps of the state Capitol. Two other suicides of well-known members of the LGBT community, also gay men, have occurred in the past month. Though the problem is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, God, Identity, Jesus Christ, Sexuality Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Is Religious Freedom and Self-Determination in Professional Counseling in Danger?

May 24, 2010 By Randy Thomas
horizon

Of our two hundred and forty Member Agencies out there, around 40 of them are professional counselors.  Over the past year or so we have had a great increase in the number of reports coming in threatening counselors who are willing to help people with unwanted homosexuality.  Lately, Californian therapists are being threatened. SAN DIEGO, California, May 3, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - California's pro-family therapists are striving to persuade the state's largest therapist association to stand firm against demands to suppress or kick out members who seek to help clients with unwanted … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Gay, Identity, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Post-gay, Professional Counseling, Religious Liberty, Sexuality, Support Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HopeFloats – Renee Dallas Starts Another Online Wives Group

April 28, 2010 By Randy Thomas
Click to Visit WifeBoat

Renee Dallas sent the following out via email: Join me for our next WifeBoat Online Support Group May 18th-August 10th I've had many woman ask me how they could possibly cope after finding out the devastating news that their husband had been using pornography, having an affair or feeling homosexual attractions. These grieving wives have often felt there was no place to turn to talk safely and openly about what they were dealing with. Family, friends, and career concerns have been some of the reasons why. That's why I started the WifeBoat Online Support groups. In the confidential … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Exodus Blog, God, Marriage, Online, Post-gay, Spouses, Support Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Importance of Covenant Eyes

January 29, 2010 By Randy Thomas

A while ago I wrote my testimony about how Covenant Eyes has greatly benefited my online accountability and facilitates a safe place online. I have tried various accountability software services out there and this is by far the best. I have been using their service for almost three years. Maybe longer. We at Exodus have even partnered with Covenant Eyes. All of our staff at Exodus uses the service. Many of my friends outside of Exodus use it. I even use it on my personal computer at home. That said, I am running their banners (at the top of the blog mixed in with ours) because I honestly … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bi-sexuality, Blogs, Church, Educate, Encourage, Equip, Exodus Blog, Gay, Guest Post, Lesbian, Marriage, Online, Post-gay, Purpose, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gayle Haggard Releases Memoir titled “Why I Stayed” – Interview with Renee Dallas

January 26, 2010 By Randy Thomas
gayle on oprah

Gayle Haggard has been through a proverbial trial by fire for the past few years. I have been impressed with the grace, wisdom and humble boldness she obviously abides in.  You can tell the Lord is her comfort and shield. Today Gayle is releasing her memoir concerning her husband's (Megachurch and National Leader, Ted Haggard) sexual fall and resulting highly publicized aftermath titled Why I Stayed: The Choices I Made in My Darkest Hour. She will appear on The Oprah Show later today to discuss the book. For a response, we turned to trusted leader (of WifeBoat blog and online support) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Friendship, Marriage, Online, Pop Culture, Post-gay, Purpose, Spouses, Support, Testimonies Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

More Evidence of a Post-gay Reality from One Secular Perspective

January 19, 2010 By Randy Thomas
Patrick Muirhead

Often, on this blog and elsewhere, you will hear me refer to my 17 year walk away from homosexuality, gay identity and gay culture as a Christian Post-gay Journey.  I reject gay, straight and ex-gay as labels because they are too confining and not accurate.  Unfortunately post-gay will inevitably be used as a personal label but I think the true definition is too large for that minimization. Post-gay describes a cultural journey beyond "gay or straight only" dichotomy. So, I talk about Post-gay quite a bit from a Christian perspective.  Yesterday Peter Ould posted an article out of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Around the World, Bi-sexuality, Culture, Encourage, England, Exodus Blog, Gay, Homosexuality, Lesbian, Post-gay, Sexuality, Testimonies Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Changed Life, A Changed Man – Testimony of Mike Goeke

December 2, 2009 By Randy Thomas
4153419442_5f74c9c80e_o

Also posted on the main Exodus website *** My dad was a loving leader, Spiritual and otherwise, of our family. My parents were equally active in the lives of both my brother and me. I experienced no sexual, emotional or physical abuse. While I know now that my family had its own issues, there were none of the ‘red flags’ often associated with homosexuality. Yet, in the midst of my very typical middle class family existence, I developed an early attraction for men. I was sensitive, insecure and artistic, and the other boys treated me differently and made fun of me. I was called a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Featured, Gay, Homosexuality, Marriage, Post-gay, Spouses, Support, Testimonies, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Local Ministry + Local Church = Blessings All Around

August 26, 2009 By Randy Thomas
lhm

From the ministry that personally helped me and I used to direct before coming to Exodus, Living Hope: The Power of True Friendship by Olivia My journey with Living Hope Ministry (LHM) began twelve years ago as I was praying for the ministry in my church's intercessory prayer room. During that time I felt God urging me to become actively involved. My initial response was, Abba, you have got to be kidding. He wasn't. I had no idea what I could offer LHM. Nor did I expect the profound impact it would have in my own life. I cherish the people I have met there--they have touched my life in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Encourage, Exodus Blog, Featured, Friendship, Homosexuality, Online, Post-gay, Sexuality, Support, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , ,